11-26-1996 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Minutes November 26, 1996 Page 9 . explained that issue will need to be addressed in the "optimization phase". Commissioner Tacheny asked what the range would be for the tower. Ramberg stated it depends on factors called "clutter" such as foliage and buildings. Discussion followed regarding range and the affect of topography between Elk River and Monticello, and Elk River and Zimmerman, as well as pole height. Mr. Ramberg stated he is not aware of any tower over 165 ft. in height and that towers in urban areas are much shorter. Commissioner Anderson stated he did not see a great deal of difference between the coverage maps using the AT&T mono-pole and the proposed lattice tower. Discussion followed regarding using a tower on the water tower along Highway 169. Jeff Peterson, structural engineer, explained the structure of the water tower is merely a "skin" and would not structurally support their equipment. He noted the tower which was constructed on a water tower in Medina was tied to the legs of the water tower and is aesthetically very unappealing. Commissioner Tacheny asked what is the size of a lattice tower versus a mono-pole. Mr. Peterson explained the feet of a lattice tower are approximately 15 feet apart and has a 4 foot base at the top. A mono-pole is a solid, tapered pipe structure and a 165 ft. pole would be approximately 6 feet in diameter at the base. Peterson stated a lattice tower could accommodate 2 other users and a mono- pole could accommodate 1 additional user. . Ms. Whitman reiterated that if they co-located on the AT&T tower, they would likely still need an additional site and may not be as good as the proposed location which is already zoned industrial. Also, their tower could accommodate 2 additional users. Scott questioned whether co-location would be possible with Sprint. Linda Whitman indicated any of the other competitors could co-locate on the proposed pole. Linda Whitman explained the process APT follows to locate a tower. Site acquisition specialists examine a search ring which has been determined by their RF (radio frequency) engineers, looking for buildings and existing towers. RF then makes a determination whether or not these sites will work. If none of the possibilities will work, they then look for ground-build sites. Commissioner Anderson questioned if American Portable were allowed to co- locate on the AT&T tower, could they physically locate on the tower. Ms. Whitman stated they could physically be on the tower but they would not get the coverage they need, based on their market study. Steve Ramberg, RF engineer, indicated they cannot provide continuous coverage to both their customers traveling along the highways and inside buildings in downtown Elk River from the AT&T site. Commissioner Anderson expressed his concern that the City will be faced with multiple requests from other competitors to build towers in Elk River and the citys their intent is to have as few of these towers as necessary. . When asked if the Zimmerman and Monticello towers have been constructed, the applicants stated they plan to co-locate on two towers that are going up in Monticello and the Zimmerman site is now going through the zoning process.